drb 1643

Thank you Thomas for your confirmation but I now realize that it’s the wrong Kanemichi.

I’m not great at reading mei’s but I think this is Kanemichi. Please correct me if I’m mistaken. Thank you, Tom

I completely agree Bruce, the Dawson Cyclopedia is the gold standard! Tom

Christian thank you very much for your help. Tom

Here’s a photo of a paper I posted in another forum and am hopeful that someone can please translate this paper. It’s from an unknown source. Thank you very much, Tom

A good friend of mine found this copy in his notebook that he’s had for over 30 years. He’s not sure where it came from but look at the dirk pictured at the top of the left hand column. It’s the same style as the one I posted. I can not read the text and it appears that some of it was cut off from the top when copied. If anyone here can please shed some light on what the text says I will be extremely grateful. Thank you for any information, Tom

It’s not the same dirk. Mr. Banks’s dirk has a shagreen scabbard and this one is leather. It seems Banks and Rannow were hypothesizing about what it could be. I’m was hoping for updated information about what it actually is. To bad Nick Komia is no longer able to chime in, that man was an incredible source of information. The book is titled Japanese Pattern Dirks, the Banks Collection. It’s long out of print and difficult to come by. Tom

Too bad Nick Komia isn’t available anymore. He was a treasure trove of information. I sincerely miss him. The forestry dirks all have full back straps and the same boar’s eye scabbard fittings. I’ve attached pictures from the late Ken Banks collection book. He actually has a very similar dirk pictured although he was guessing about exactly what it is. I was hoping someone here would have a more definitive opinion as to what exactly this dirk is. Anyway thank you both Trystan and Bruce for your time and input. Tom

Thanks Trystan. It does have all the other features of a forestry dirk though. The railway dirks have features similar to a naval dirk. This one is a head scratcher. Tom

Can anyone please help me with identifying this forestry dirk? I realize that it’s a senior rank but I never saw one with the paulownia/kiri mon on the blackstrap. Any information will be greatly appreciated! Thank you all very much, Tom

Thank you very much Thomas for your input. No, I haven’t contacted Chris yet but I will at your suggestion. I sincerely appreciate your help. Tom

Yes Steve, and in all this time I haven’t been able to find any information on this smith. I was wondering if there was an alternate name that could possibly go with this mei. Thanks for any updated information. Tom

I have had this sword for years and am hoping for a translation of both sides please. I’ve come up with Kazutsugu, but couldn’t find any information about him. Any help or ideas will be greatly appreciated. Thank you all very much, Tom

Chris S. WOW!

Thank you very much Ray. Any idea as to legitimacy of this mei and approximate value? Thanks again, Tom

Thanks Bruce, I always appreciate your input! Tom

Hi All, I’m hoping the good forum members can help me out again with a translation of this mei and any opinions on this sword. It’s 70.2 cm cutting edge with a sori of 1.5 cm. It’s in shirasaya. Thank you all very much in advance, Tom

Thanks John

Could either of you gentlemen offer an opinion as to a fair value? Tom

Thank you very much Trystan. That was fast!

Two more pictures. Thank you, Tom

Hi All, I’m hoping for some guidance and information about this sword. I believe it’s a showato oil quenched but would love to know the smith and an approximate value. There is some damage to the tsuka wrapping but overall it’s in very nice condition and all the seppa numbers match. Any input and opinions are very much appreciated. Thank you very much, Tom

You can see in the picture I posted of the inspection stamps on the mune how nicely the sword fits into the saya without a habaki. It’s a very nice fit without any wiggle. When the tsuka is assembled the whole unit locks up perfectly with the saya again without any play. Bruce, as far as the paint goes, it does look period when you inspect it in hand. IMHO I believe this sword was never issued this late in the war and was taken care of post war. Thanks everyone for a great discussion on these hybrid 95’s. Tom

This is the only one I have Trystan. The other one I posted a few years back is no longer available, but yes it also had no habaki and the extra hole. That one was also mumei with no date or other stamps. Sorry, Tom